Gradkowski told he'll get second-round tender

Bruce Gradkowski looks like the early favorite to be Oakland’s starting quarterback in 2010. But first the Raiders have to make sure he stays on the team.

With that in mind, Oakland informed Gradkowski’s agent at the combine they will place a second-round tender on the restricted free agent, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

It’s not a great sign for the organization when they are so confident no team will give up a second-round pick for their best quarterback. But it’s also a safe bet no one will go after Gradkowski at that price, so it’s a smart move.

Gradkowski will make $1.759 million for one year if he signs the deal. The team doesn’t sound interested in awarding the Polish Popgun a long-term contract yet.

This is just guess, but we suspect JaMarcus Russell won’t be the only legitimate competition Gradkowski faces for the job next year.

39 responses to “Gradkowski told he'll get second-round tender”

I really hopes that he signs this. He said he wants to be the Raiders QB next year, lets see if he was serious. The money is about right for him, so all and all I think this was a good move by the Raiders.
If he plays as good as I think he can, we really could be looking at the next coming of Rich Gannon. We all saw those flashes of brilliance at times this year. He is a true leader, and exactly what this offense needs. He will get his big contract next year!!

I would love to see them get a solid starter (not sure if Bruce is that guy or not) and focus on becoming a running team.
It will be interesting to see how Bush (and a lesser note, McFadden…not sure he is a Pro feature back) respond to the change in the blocking scheme.

Really, I think a smart draft (getting a good LT) could put this team close to decent if Bruce is QB, and plays like he did at times last season. This scenario helps stir more positivity than usual for OAK fans, and is not too far fetched.
But it is still a couple of big ifs, and there has not been much in recent history to make us Oakland fans think positive about it.

i love all the raider haters! I cant wait to see what espn has to say when the raiders with the bruce when the superbowl.
THATS RIGHT RAIDA HATERZ!
THE OAKLAND RAIDERS SUPERBOWL CHAMPS 2011!!!!
THE BRUCE IS LOOSE!!!!!!!!!!

As a raider fan this is a joke! I’m tired of them constantly making the wrong decisions.Charlie Frye needs to have a chance to start as well as jafatass and gradkowski and let the best man win.I personally think Frye is the best option he just needs to stay healthy.

is it me or is it funnier than hell when raider fans are getting excited about bruce gradkowski and charlie frye battling for the starting qb job. maybe its just me but i find it FREAKING HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gradkowski looked really promising in his few starts. Beat the Bengals and Steelers. Lost on Thanksgiving Day in Dallas (always a tough spot for the road team on 3 days rest, travelling, etc. but especially when Dallas is an elite team). Then got hurt when he was looking very, very sharp against the Redskins and on pace for his 2nd 300+ yard game in 4 weeks. By comparrison, JaMarcus Russell has yet to have a 300 yard game in his career.
The 2nd round tender gives Bruce more than a $1 million raise this season. And while it’s unlikely a team will want to give up a 2nd rounder to sign him away (multi-time Pro Bowlers often get traded for that or less), if a team does make an offer the Raiders can still match it. Move makes total sense all the way around.
Now if they can just tell JR to take a paycut or get lost. JR is due $9.5 million this season, about $3 million of which is guaranteed. That salary should at least be slashed in half and really worth even less if he wasn’t already guaranteed the $3 million.

BroncoFanOr: did you really just ask that question?
Oh yeah, wait, your a Denver Donkey Fan – when is the last time the Donkeys made the super bowl?
I believe you havent been to the show since Elway retired. Pipe down over there Donkey fan!

Broncfan…here is the answer! cause even JBUST at QB could beat the DONKIES!!! LOL hummm cutler or orton? 2-8 WOW strong finish AGAIN! now go put on your throwup/throwback puke green and yellow jersey back on and be proud to miss the playoffs for the SECOND YEAR IN A ROW after leading the division! LOL

# FumbleNuts says: March 1, 2010 8:44 PM
J-Russ will be out of the NFL in 2 years, mark it down.
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considering that he probably has dollar bills for toilet paper, I doubt he cares about the NFL

# raidersteve413 says: March 1, 2010 8:49 PM
“i love all the raider haters! I cant wait to see what espn has to say when the raiders with the bruce when the superbowl.
THATS RIGHT RAIDA HATERZ!
THE OAKLAND RAIDERS SUPERBOWL CHAMPS 2011!!!!
THE BRUCE IS LOOSE!!!!!!!!!!”
Everybody realizes that medical marijuana is legal and pretty easy to obtain in the city of Oakland, right? Just saying.

@raidersteve413
Reality called. They would like for you to return. They’d also like to remind you that Gradkowski has lost his job as a starter in the past for Brady Quinn and Tim Rattay. Yes, that Brady Quinn and that Tim Rattay.

# Junior says: March 1, 2010 8:38 PM
IA Vikefan,
While I understand you finding the humor in Russell’s play, there’s a good chance your starting QB will be Tavaris Jackson. Don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house.
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Junior, or should I say P-u-nior? 1.) Favre will most likely be back and 2.) Jackson and Rosenfels are better than Gradkowski and Russell any day of the week, and twice on Sunday.

I don’t care who the starter is as long as it is not JaMarcus Russell ever again. Grads and Frye all played well with this team and horrible o-line. I just hope the team does the right thing and focuses on o-line as well as managing to find some better DTs in the draft. This team will never be above 8-8 with the current line as Grads and Frye both were knocked from games. The Raiders should see what they have with Grads, Frye, and see if Losman has anything in the tank. It would make for a great story if any of these guys can lead the team to the playoffs but that is a pipe dream with the current state of the offensive line as well as the defensive line.
JaredAllen69, Tavaris Jackson is not better than Gradkowski. Learn football. I forgot, you’re a Vikings fan, you’re used to cheering for overrated teams that never get the job done. Good luck with your next Super Bowl loss.

@Big Tex
And Rich Gannon got benched for Elvis Grbac too. What happened in Cleveland and Tampa dont mean anything right now. I aint a Grad honk, and I am not comparing him to Gannon as a player…. but he deserves a shot. His play last year earned him an opportunity, nothing more nothing less.
@ the board in general
Reading the replies to raider articles on here is quite amusing. Some of you got your head so far up a certain orifice it is laughable!!

# oh the usual says: March 1, 2010 8:35 PM
Really, I think a smart draft (getting a good LT) could put this team close to decent if Bruce is QB, and plays like he did at times last season. This scenario helps stir more positivity than usual for OAK fans, and is not too far fetched.
But it is still a couple of big ifs, and there has not been much in recent history to make us Oakland fans think positive about it.
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Who is that “L.T.”? Is it Ryan Matthews? Is it Jahvid Best? Is it Montario Hardesty?
real big ifs … count on Bruce Campbell, Jacoby Ford and/or Kyle Wilson to be Raiders

@JaredAllen69: “1.) Favre will most likely be back and 2.) Jackson and Rosenfels are better than Gradkowski and Russell any day of the week, and twice on Sunday.”
Tavaris Jackson is really, really bad.

JUST DRAFT ROLANDO MCCLAIN HE IS YOUR NEXT RAY LEWIS IN THE NFL!!! THEN WAIT FOR OTHER TEAMS TO RELEASE ONE OF THEIR Q-BACKS OR O-LINEMEN OR SIGN A FREE AGENT IN YOUR TWO WEAKEST POSITIONS Q-B & OL, IT’S BETTER THEN WHAT THE RAIDERS HAVE NOW!!!

@Gautam
considering that he probably has dollar bills for toilet paper, I doubt he cares about the NFL
Have you seen the jewelry this dude has? I wouldn’t be surprised if he only has $1 million dollars left from that guaranteed deal he signed back in 2007. And how this douche spends money, he’ll be broke by the end of the year or even by training camp.

Reality called. They would like for you to return. They’d also like to remind you that Gradkowski has lost his job as a starter in the past for Brady Quinn and Tim Rattay. Yes, that Brady Quinn and that Tim Rattay.
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And Rich Gannon lost his job to Elvis Grbac and Sean Salisbury…. Yes, that Elvis Grbac and that Sean Salisbury.

@bwisnasky
At least Gannon was a 33 year old QB with a plus .5oo record when he got to Oakland. Grad? Not so much. Of course, when Gannon got to Oakland, he had Tim Brown and Jon Gruden waiting for him. Grad? DHB and Tom Cable. Good luck with all that.

@ vikes fans
I don’t think I have anything left in the tank to argue with you! (see Bret Tards retirement speeches for the last 9 years for references!) another season ended w/a pick,tears, and retirement! enjoy the soap opera. either A you hear ritirement talk all offseason and he leaves you hangin. or B he retires (and does us all a favor) god knows he’ll go into the hall of fame for picks,tears, and vikotin! go to your own board and worry about the vikes

Rosenthal,
Were you HONESTLY able to call Russell “legitimate competition” for the starting QB position while keeping a straight face?
Because for the life of me, I can’t imagine calling Russell legitimate at anything when it comes to the starting QB position without busting out laughing.
And this is coming from a die hard Raiders fan.

he would be stupid to go anywhere else this is pretty much his only shot at being a starting qb in the league. so i say he stays and wins the starting qb in oakland and iam pulling for him cause i would rather see us lose with someone that cares then lose with j-suck thats if we lose…go RAIDERS

It is kind of like the little Dutch boy putting his finger in tthe dike to hold back the flood waters but the Raiders have no choice which probably kills dead Al and that convict Herrera. He ( BG) may pan out given a whole season of work but given Ja Junk as an alternative I say sign him and draft a few decent O lineman.